2011 MLS Cup Playoffs
Encyclopedia
The 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs
will be the sixteenth post-season tournament culminating the Major League Soccer regular season. The tournament began on October 26 with the play-in round and will conclude on November 20 with the championship match. It will be the first playoff-series to include ten clubs, two more than the traditional eight. Six of the ten teams will earn a direct bye into the conference semifinals, while the four wildcard teams will play a single elimination match to earn a berth into the conference semis. These eight clubs will play in a single-elimination tournament en route to playoffs championship MLS Cup 2011
, which doubles as the league championship for the 2011 MLS season
altogether.
The defending MLS Cup champions are the Colorado Rapids
, who beat FC Dallas
2–1 in the 2010
championship.
Should the CONCACAF Champions League
qualifying format remain the same, the cup champion will earn a direct bye to Group Stage of the 2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League, along with the Supporters' Shield
winner for the regular season. The cup finalist will earn a spot in the Preliminary Round for the Champions League, along with the 2011 U.S. Open Cup
champion. However, none of these berths are available to the league's two Canadian teams, which instead participate in the Canadian Championship
for that country's single berth in the Preliminary Round of the Champions League.
winner. The other entrant will play the conference champion that did not win the Shield.
The playoffs will begin with the Play-in round, which will contain the wildcard seeds. The first and second-placed wildcard seeds (seventh and eight place, respectively) will host the third and fourth-placed wildcard seeds (ninth and tenth place, respectively). The winners of each play-in proper will earn a berth into the conference semifinals, or the quarterfinals, of the playoffs.
Following the play-in round, will be the conference semifinals, where the two play-in round winners will join the six clubs that earned a direct bye into this round. The conference semifinals, will be a two-legged, aggregate series, in which each team plays their opponent twice: once at home, and once away. The team with the most goals accumulated over the two-match series will win the series and qualify for the conference championship. In this round, the lowest seeded wildcard team to advance will play against the MLS Supporters' Shield
winner (regular season champion). The other wildcard seed will play against either the Eastern or Western Conference regular season champion, depending on which conference champion wins the Supporters' Shield. Also in the conference semifinals, feature the conference runners-up and third place finishes from both the Eastern and Western Conference.
The semifinal round, or the conference championship, will feature the winners from the conference semifinals. This round will be a one-legged affair, in which the higher seeded club will host the lower seed. The winner of this match, earns a berth into the 2011 MLS Cup championship, as well as a guaranteed berth in the preliminary round of the 2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League
.
The Eastern Conference and Western Conference bracket winners will meet in the MLS Cup final, which will be held at the pre-determined neutral venue. This year, the final will be held at the Home Depot Center
in Carson, California
, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy
and Chivas USA
. The MLS Cup winner will earn a Group Stage berth in the 2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League, while the finalist will earn a Preliminary Round berth. Additionally, the MLS Cup winner will be crowned league champion for the 2011 MLS season.
were the first MLS club to qualify for the playoffs, qualifying with a 1–0 win over Colorado Rapids
on September 9.
If more than two clubs are tied, once a club advances through any step, the process reverts to Tiebreaker 1 among the remaining tied clubs recursively until all ties are resolved.
Key
----
Last updated on November 21, 2011.
Last updated on November 21, 2011.
MLS Cup Playoffs
The MLS Cup Playoffs is the postseason elimination tournament of Major League Soccer held at the end of the regular season en route to the MLS Cup, the league's championship game. 10 teams in total from the Eastern Conference and Western Conference qualify for the tournament based on regular-season...
will be the sixteenth post-season tournament culminating the Major League Soccer regular season. The tournament began on October 26 with the play-in round and will conclude on November 20 with the championship match. It will be the first playoff-series to include ten clubs, two more than the traditional eight. Six of the ten teams will earn a direct bye into the conference semifinals, while the four wildcard teams will play a single elimination match to earn a berth into the conference semis. These eight clubs will play in a single-elimination tournament en route to playoffs championship MLS Cup 2011
MLS Cup 2011
The 2011 MLS Cup Final was the sixteenth edition of the MLS Cup championship match held in the United States and Canada. The match was played on Sunday, November 20, 2011 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California...
, which doubles as the league championship for the 2011 MLS season
2011 Major League Soccer season
The 2011 Major League Soccer season was the 99th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer, the 33rd with a national first-division league, in the United States and Canada, and the 16th season of Major League Soccer. The season marked the arrival of two new league clubs, Portland Timbers and Vancouver...
altogether.
The defending MLS Cup champions are the Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
, who beat FC Dallas
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
2–1 in the 2010
MLS Cup 2010
The MLS Cup 2010 was the fifteenth edition of the MLS Cup championship game and the final match of the 2010 MLS season. The championship was played at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on Sunday, November 21, 2010...
championship.
Should the CONCACAF Champions League
CONCACAF Champions League
The CONCACAF Champions League is the annual international club football championship for teams from the CONCACAF region ....
qualifying format remain the same, the cup champion will earn a direct bye to Group Stage of the 2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League, along with the Supporters' Shield
MLS Supporters' Shield
The Supporters' Shield is an annual award given to the Major League Soccer team with the best regular season record, as determined by the MLS points system...
winner for the regular season. The cup finalist will earn a spot in the Preliminary Round for the Champions League, along with the 2011 U.S. Open Cup
2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The 2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was the 98th edition of the oldest competition in American soccer, running from June through early October. Seattle Sounders FC, who entered the competition as the two-time defending champions, successfully defended their title again. They became the third team in...
champion. However, none of these berths are available to the league's two Canadian teams, which instead participate in the Canadian Championship
Canadian Championship
The Canadian Championship—known as the Nutrilite Canadian Championship for sponsorship reasons—is an annual soccer tournament contested by premier Canadian professional teams...
for that country's single berth in the Preliminary Round of the Champions League.
Format
The format for the tournament was announced on February 23, 2011. The top three clubs in each of the league's two conferences will earn the six automatic spots in the quarterfinals. The wild-card entrants, seeded seventh through tenth, will enter based upon their overall position in a single table of the league standings. The new format is assembled so that the weakest seed to qualify out of the wild-card rounds will have to play the Supporters' ShieldMLS Supporters' Shield
The Supporters' Shield is an annual award given to the Major League Soccer team with the best regular season record, as determined by the MLS points system...
winner. The other entrant will play the conference champion that did not win the Shield.
The playoffs will begin with the Play-in round, which will contain the wildcard seeds. The first and second-placed wildcard seeds (seventh and eight place, respectively) will host the third and fourth-placed wildcard seeds (ninth and tenth place, respectively). The winners of each play-in proper will earn a berth into the conference semifinals, or the quarterfinals, of the playoffs.
Following the play-in round, will be the conference semifinals, where the two play-in round winners will join the six clubs that earned a direct bye into this round. The conference semifinals, will be a two-legged, aggregate series, in which each team plays their opponent twice: once at home, and once away. The team with the most goals accumulated over the two-match series will win the series and qualify for the conference championship. In this round, the lowest seeded wildcard team to advance will play against the MLS Supporters' Shield
MLS Supporters' Shield
The Supporters' Shield is an annual award given to the Major League Soccer team with the best regular season record, as determined by the MLS points system...
winner (regular season champion). The other wildcard seed will play against either the Eastern or Western Conference regular season champion, depending on which conference champion wins the Supporters' Shield. Also in the conference semifinals, feature the conference runners-up and third place finishes from both the Eastern and Western Conference.
The semifinal round, or the conference championship, will feature the winners from the conference semifinals. This round will be a one-legged affair, in which the higher seeded club will host the lower seed. The winner of this match, earns a berth into the 2011 MLS Cup championship, as well as a guaranteed berth in the preliminary round of the 2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League
2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League
The 2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League will be the 5th edition of the CONCACAF Champions League under its current format. The tournament is expected to begin in July 2012 and finish in April 2013...
.
The Eastern Conference and Western Conference bracket winners will meet in the MLS Cup final, which will be held at the pre-determined neutral venue. This year, the final will be held at the Home Depot Center
The Home Depot Center
The Home Depot Center is a multiple-use sports complex located on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, California. It is located approximately 10 miles south of Downtown Los Angeles. Its title sponsor is hardware retailer The Home Depot. The $150 million complex was...
in Carson, California
Carson, California
Carson is a city in Los Angeles County, California. As of the 2010 census, Carson had a total population of 91,714. Located south of downtown Los Angeles and approximately 14 miles away from the Los Angeles International Airport, it is known as a suburb of the city....
, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
and Chivas USA
C.D. Chivas USA
Club Deportivo Chivas USA is an American professional soccer club based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada....
. The MLS Cup winner will earn a Group Stage berth in the 2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League, while the finalist will earn a Preliminary Round berth. Additionally, the MLS Cup winner will be crowned league champion for the 2011 MLS season.
Qualification
The top three clubs from each conference, based on final point totals, will qualify for the playoffs. From among the remaining clubs, the top 4 qualify as wild cards, and will have a 2-leg play-in round to narrow the field to 8. The Los Angeles GalaxyLos Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
were the first MLS club to qualify for the playoffs, qualifying with a 1–0 win over Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
on September 9.
Tiebreakers
- Head-to-Head (Points-per-match average)
- Overall Goal Differential
- Overall Total Goals Scored
- Tiebreakers 1–3 applied only to matches on the road
- Tiebreakers 1–3 applied only to matches at home
- Fewest team disciplinary points in the League Fair Play table
- Coin toss
If more than two clubs are tied, once a club advances through any step, the process reverts to Tiebreaker 1 among the remaining tied clubs recursively until all ties are resolved.
Schedule
Major League Schedule released the schedule for its playoffs on August 9, 2011.Key
- SS = MLS Supporters' ShieldMLS Supporters' ShieldThe Supporters' Shield is an annual award given to the Major League Soccer team with the best regular season record, as determined by the MLS points system...
winner - E1/W1 = Eastern or Western Conference winner
- E2/W2 = Eastern or Western Conference runner-up
- E3/W3 = Eastern or Western Conference third place
- WC1 = Top wildcard seed (7th place overall)
- WC2 = Second wildcard seed (8th place overall)
- WC3 = Third wildcard seed (9th place overall)
- WC4 = Fourth wildcard seed (10th place overall)
Play-in round
----Eastern conference
----Western conference
----Conference finals
Host will depend on the higher seeded team. Single elimination match.----
Championship
Post-season statistical leaders
Note: Statistics only for post-season games.Top scorers
| Rank | Scorer | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Landon DonovanLandon Donovan Landon Timothy Donovan is an American soccer player for the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer in the United States. He usually plays as a withdrawn forward, and can also be used as an attacking midfielder on either wing.... |
Los Angeles Galaxy Los Angeles Galaxy The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second... |
3 |
| Mike Magee Mike Magee (soccer) Mike Magee is an American soccer player who currently plays for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer.-Professional:... |
Los Angeles Galaxy | 3 | |
 Álvaro SaboríoÁlvaro Saborío Álvaro Alberto Saborío Chacón is a Costa Rican footballer, who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer and the Costa Rica national football team.-Deportivo Saprissa:... |
Real Salt Lake Real Salt Lake Real Salt Lake is an American professional soccer club based in Sandy, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. The team competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. They currently play their home games at Rio Tinto Stadium. Real Salt Lake won... |
3 | |
| 4 | Teal Bunbury Teal Bunbury Teal Bunbury is a Canadian-born American soccer player who currently plays for Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer... |
Sporting Kansas City | 2 |
 André Hainault |
Houston Dynamo Houston Dynamo The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic... |
2 | |
| 6 |  Osvaldo AlonsoOsvaldo Alonso Osvaldo Alonso Moreno is a Cuban footballer who currently plays for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer.-Professional:... |
Seattle Sounders FC Seattle Sounders FC Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in... |
1 |
| Calen Carr Calen Carr Calen Carr is an American soccer player who currently plays for the Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer.-High School and College:... |
Houston Dynamo | 1 | |
 Aurélien CollinAurélien Collin Aurélien Collin is a French footballer currently playing for Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer.-Career:... |
Sporting Kansas City | 1 | |
 Carlos Costly |
Houston Dynamo | 1 | |
 Omar CummingsOmar Cummings Omar Cummings is a Jamaican international footballer who plays professionally for the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer, as a forward.-Youth and amateur:... |
Colorado Rapids Colorado Rapids The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league... |
1 | |
| Ned Grabavoy Ned Grabavoy Ned Grabavoy is an American soccer player who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:Grabavoy played his youth soccer with the Chicago Magic Soccer Club under coach Mike Matkovich.... |
Real Salt Lake | 1 | |
| Thierry Henry Thierry Henry Thierry Daniel Henry is a French professional footballer who plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.Henry was born in Les Ulis, Essonne where he played for an array of local sides as a youngster and showed great promise as a goal-scorer. He was spotted by AS Monaco in 1990 and... |
New York Red Bulls | 1 | |
| Robbie Keane Robbie Keane Robert David "Robbie" Keane is an Irish association football player who plays as a striker for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer and captains the Irish national football team.... |
Los Angeles Galaxy | 1 | |
| Sébastien Le Toux Sébastien Le Toux Sébastien Le Toux is a French-American footballer who currently plays for the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer.-Professional:Le Toux was part of the youth setup at Rennes, and briefly played for Lorient in Ligue 2, prior to moving to the United States.Le Toux unsuccessfully tried out for... |
Philadelphia Union | 1 | |
 Joel LindpereJoel Lindpere Joel Lindpere is an Estonian professional footballer who currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. He plays as a midfielder.-Estonia:... |
New York Red Bulls | 1 | |
| Lamar Neagle Lamar Neagle Lamar Justin Neagle is an American soccer player who currently plays for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:... |
Seattle Sounders FC | 1 | |
 Luke RodgersLuke Rodgers Luke John Rodgers is an English professional football striker who plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.He played in England's Football League, starting at Shrewsbury Town in 1999... |
New York Red Bulls | 1 | |
| C. J. Sapong C. J. Sapong C. J. Sapong is an American soccer player who currently plays for Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:... |
Sporting Kansas City | 1 | |
Last updated on November 21, 2011.
Most assists
| Rank | Player | Club | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  David BeckhamDavid Beckham David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English footballer who plays midfield for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, having previously played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, and A.C... |
Los Angeles Galaxy Los Angeles Galaxy The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second... |
3 |
| 2 | Graham Zusi Graham Zusi Graham Zusi is an American soccer player who currently plays for Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer.-College:Zusi played college soccer at the University of Maryland, College Park... |
Sporting Kansas City | 2 |
| 3 |  Mehdi BallouchyMehdi Ballouchy Mehdi Ballouchy is a Moroccan footballer. He currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:... |
New York Red Bulls | 1 |
 Luiz CamargoLuiz Camargo Luiz Henrique Camargo is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Houston Dynamo in the Major League Soccer.-External links:* *... |
Houston Dynamo Houston Dynamo The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic... |
1 | |
| Júlio César Julio Cesar Santos Correa Júlio César Santos Correa , known as Júlio César, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer, as a central defender.-Early years:... |
Sporting Kansas City | 1 | |
| Brian Ching Brian Ching Brian Ching is an American professional soccer forward currently playing for the Montreal Impact of Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:... |
Houston Dynamo | 1 | |
| Brad Davis Brad Davis Brad Davis may refer to:*Brad Davis *Brad Davis *Brad Davis , American baseball player*Brad Davis , American basketball player*Brad Davis , American soccer player... |
Houston Dynamo | 1 | |
| Landon Donovan Landon Donovan Landon Timothy Donovan is an American soccer player for the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer in the United States. He usually plays as a withdrawn forward, and can also be used as an attacking midfielder on either wing.... |
Los Angeles Galaxy | 1 | |
| Michael Farfan Michael Farfan Michael Farfan is an American soccer player currently playing for Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:... |
Philadelphia Union | 1 | |
| Thierry Henry Thierry Henry Thierry Daniel Henry is a French professional footballer who plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.Henry was born in Les Ulis, Essonne where he played for an array of local sides as a youngster and showed great promise as a goal-scorer. He was spotted by AS Monaco in 1990 and... |
New York Red Bulls | 1 | |
 Robbie KeaneRobbie Keane Robert David "Robbie" Keane is an Irish association football player who plays as a striker for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer and captains the Irish national football team.... |
Los Angeles Galaxy | 1 | |
 Kosuke KimuraKosuke Kimura is a Japanese footballer who currently plays for the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.He is the only player in the league's history who was born in Japan, and was a starting defender for the Rapids in its run to the MLS Cup Championship in 2010.-College and amateur:Kimura's career in... |
Colorado Rapids Colorado Rapids The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league... |
1 | |
 Fredy Montero |
Seattle Sounders FC Seattle Sounders FC Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in... |
1 | |
 Javier MoralesJavier Morales Javier Morales is an Argentine footballer who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer.-Argentina:... |
Real Salt Lake Real Salt Lake Real Salt Lake is an American professional soccer club based in Sandy, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. The team competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. They currently play their home games at Rio Tinto Stadium. Real Salt Lake won... |
1 | |
| Jamison Olave Jámison Olave Jámison Olave is a Colombian footballer who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer.-Career:Olave played for a multitude of clubs in his native Colombia, before returning to his first club, Deportivo Cali... |
Real Salt Lake | 1 | |
| Chris Wingert Chris Wingert Chris Wingert is an American soccer player who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer.-College:Wingert attended St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School and played college soccer for St... |
Real Salt Lake | 1 |
Last updated on November 21, 2011.